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December 4, 2012

Commission OKs 76% curtailment of 2013 shrimp catch

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission stopped short of canceling Maine's shrimp season and instead imposed a 76% curtailment in catch limits for the 2013 shrimp season.

The 76% curtailment approved by the commission will limit the season's catch to 1.38 million pounds, down from 5.3 million pounds last year. Industry observers told the Portland Press Herald that the limit could devastate the $70 million industry that employs 1,500 Maine fishermen and processors. By comparison, in 2011, 13.3 million pounds of shrimp were harvested by Maine fishermen.

Canceling the season had been recommended by the 15-member Northern Shrimp Technical Committee prior to the commission's meeting Monday in Portland. The severe reduction in catch limits was approved to restore the shrimp population in the Gulf of Maine, which has been impacted by overfishing and warmer water temperatures.

The newspaper reported the 2013 season will begin on Jan. 22 for trawlers, and Feb. 5 for fishermen who use traps. The season will end when the catch limit is reached.

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